Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 7:39

"And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south." — 1 Kings 7:39 (ASV)

The sea. —This was placed on the south-eastern side of the Temple, on one side of the great altar; the ten smaller lavers were ranged five on each side.